Mar. 20, 2013

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano / Detroit Free Press file photo

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Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

The retired sheriff’s deputy expected to become Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano’s part-time driver said today he’s withdrawing his contract request ahead of a scheduled county commission vote Thursday.

“The commissioners are taking all kinds of heat,” said Fred Berry, whose company Star Fighters was in line for a $55,000 contract with the county.

Berry said his driving duties overshadowed the bulk of his work, which would have been supervising the alternative work force, a county program that allows offenders to avoid jail time by doing community service work.

After Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy lost 22 prosecutors this week when their contracts weren’t renewed because of budget cuts, Berry said he became the perfect foil.

“I feel sorry for the people that got laid off,” Berry said. “I’m sure somewhere down the line, they’ll reach a deal and try to bring those people back.”

Berry said his contract has been mischaracterized because the driver portion “was only three days a month, but that became the focus.” Berry said today: “I really have a lot to offer the county.”

Berry said he saved the county millions by uncovering a gasoline overcharge scam several years ago and had an eye for other efficiencies.

Commissioner Chairman Gary Woronchak said Berry’s contract had become a political football in the middle of a budget battle between Ficano and Worthy.

“I think politically, the situation was impossible, and the commission probably was not going to approve it,” Woronchak said. “Rather than have it go down, it was a wise move on his part to pull it back.”

Woronchak said he didn’t know who would now supervise the alternative workforce.

“That will be up to Children and Family Services,” Wornochak said. “Maybe they’ll have someone else do it. Maybe they’ll have Fred Berry do it and do just that. I don’t know.”